My Teacher Always Says...

I'm linking up with Tammy @ Forever in First for her linky party, "My teacher always says...

When I read this, I thought, "Hmmm what do I always say?" My mind went blank. I know I say some of the same things over and over and over again, but seriously my mind was blank.

I thought back to before I started teaching. I was working as an assistant with a wonderful teacher. She had all kinds of things she would say. The students would say the same things. One of the things she would say was "Wagabootchie" (I'm totally guessing how you would spell it). One day she asked one of her students to bring a stack of books to her. I was sitting by the desk where the books were, I about cracked up when she said in a very strained voice, "Wagabootchie". 

Then I thought about my daughter and how she impersonates her teachers, she picks up their mannerisms, tone of their voice and things they say. If she is doing that, then I'm sure my students could tell me exactly what I say.

I thought that maybe if I started writing, some things would come to my mind. I know I haven't ever and won't ever say the "S" word...shut-up. When my niece was in first grade, I read "Ramona the Pest" to her on the phone. There's a place where Ramona yells, "Shut-up Pizzaface!" After I read it, my niece said, "Aunt Kelly you are not supposed to say shut-up, you should say be quiet." I guess she told me.

OK, I finally thought of one and I couldn't get Tammy's cute graphic on here.

"I'm not looking at HOW you draw, I'm looking at IF you draw.

I always have those students who are reluctant to draw, so I always let them know I'm not judging their art work. I like to read the book "Ish" by Peter A Reynolds to the kids early on in the year so I can remind the to just make an "ish" drawing. A lot of times they have surprised themselves when they take their time and look at what they are wanting t draw.

One thing I started saying towards the end of the year was "I'm taking children who are ready to recess." I know it doesn't sound like much, but it worked. I got the idea from  Teaching With Love and Logic. It said to stop saying I like the way ____ is lined up nicely. They were right, it wasn't very successful. I was really surprised how well the phrase worked.

I know there are some things that I say probably over and over again, but I guess with it being summer, part of my brain went on break! lol